by Glenn Dowd

The new League of Ireland season kicks off this Friday as reigning champions Bohemians look to regain their crown. The pre season shake up at every club around the country gives things a much needed boost of excitement as the League tries to avoid the doom and gloom that has encircled it recently.

Bohemians have reshuffled their pack but still boast a side that is capable of winning their third league title in a row. Glen Crowe, Brian Murphy, Gary Deegan, Joseph Ndo and Neal Fenn have all left for pastures new but Pat Fenlon has signed good quality and experienced players to fill the gap left by the quintet. Raffael Cretaro, Gareth McGlynn, Mark Quigley, Aaron Greene, Barry Murphy, Chris O`Connor, Ruadhrì Higgins and Stephen Gray have all joined Bohs in the close season. The strength in depth boasted by Fenlon`s squad may prove to give them the edge in the title race but expect fierce rivals Shamrock Rovers to run them close.

Shamrock Rovers have managed to retain the lethal Gary Twigg who will be looking to fire Rovers to their first title in 16 years, having gone so close last year. The Tallaght side have added to their already impressive squad with the capture of Enda Stevens, Dan Murray, Danny Murphy, Billy Dennehy and James Chambers. In the mercurial Chris Turner they have a real gem. In Michael O`Neill, they possess a quality manager who will be looking to bring some silverware back to the long suffering fans. The loss of goalkeeper Barry Murphy to Bohs will not go down well with some Hoops fans. Nonetheless a title challenge is on the way and if they can avoid injuries Rovers will be a force to be reckoned with.

St Patricks Athletic will be hoping for a better year than last time as they narrowly avoided relegation. Pete Mahon has been installed as manager on a temporary basis and has wasted no time in getting players in that he feels can help the Saints climb back towards the top.  The former UCD supremo has managed to keep hold of the experienced duo Damien Lynch and Stuart Byrne as well as the ever impressive Ryan Guy. Gary Rogers has also stayed on in Inchicore but will find it tough to hold down a position with the recent signing of Dan Connor. Alex Williams and Vinny Faherty have joined the Inchicore side and will provide the fire power that Mark Quigley and Declan O`Brien did last year. The Saints have also managed to sign some players who are untested at this level but will pose a threat to this position. Conor Sinnott and David Mc Allister are two such talents.

Ian Foster will be hoping his new charges, Dundalk, can embark on a promising campaign, following last season’s impressive showing. The former Galway manager has added smartly to his ranks capturing Alan Cawley and Stephen Maher from Pats, Liam Burns and Neal Fenn from Bohs and the ever impressive Fahrudin Kuduzovic. Dundalk will be hoping to achieve a European spot this time around and will benefit from the demise of both Derry City and Cork City. 

Sporting Fingal are the newcomers who will certainly avoid relegation while posing a threat to the top teams. Liam Buckley`s men won both the first division and the FAI Cup last year and are already been talked up as title contenders. Despite only been in existence for two years, Sporting have their first European campaign to look forward to. Glen Crowe has signed on at Morton Stadium and will prove a huge addition to an already illustrious squad that is brimming with Premier Division talent.

Sligo Rovers will be looking to make amends after losing the FAI Cup final last year. Padraig Amond has signed from Shamrock Rovers as Paul Cook looks to replace last year`s top scorer Cretaro.  Cook has managed to keep hold of goalkeeper Richard Brush who was very impressive last season until injury brought a sudden halt to his season. The signing of John Russell from Galway shows that the Bit O`Red means business.

Galway United are full of confidence ahead of the new season and rightly so. The ever cunning Sean Connor has taken up the managerial reigns at Terryland Park and means business. The Belfast native would have liked to have kept Vinny Faherty, Shane Guthrie, John Russell and Aaron Greene but it was not to be. All four players were key figures for the club last year but Connor has acted swiftly to bring in his own players. Stephen O`Donnell and Thomas Heary will add steel to his side while Bobby Ryan returns to the club after a lengthy spell in Dublin. Connor`s decision to persuade both Seamus Conneely and Barry Ryan to resign for another year is a great bit of business as the Tribesmen seek to climb the table.    

Drogheda United are a club in deep trouble. Having spent a budget that largely exceeds their limits the Boynesiders may well find themselves following Cork and Derry down a lonely road. Alan Matthews has lost key defender Conor Kenna to Pats but will be hoping both Jamie Harris and Gareth O`Connor, who went in the opposite direction will provide the goods for him. It looks like another year of fighting at the bottom for the much maligned former champions. 

UCD are back in the top flight after a year long absence. Former Pats hero Martin Russell has guided the students back to the top and they will be hoping to stay there. The loss of Ronan Finn to Fingal has cast a dark cloud over pre season. However while their attacking brand of football will be a great addition to the league it may not be enough to keep them up. Expect the boys from Belfield to cause a few shocks along the way.

Bray Wanderers will be hoping for a season that won’t involve floodlight failure, a fallen wall and relegation. Eddie Gormley`s men are here on merit following the demise of Cork City and he will be relying on a new batch of youngsters to keep them up this year. Fortunately for the Seagulls they have managed to retain Chris Shields and Jay Kelly amongst their ranks; however no two men can carry a team. The loss of the experienced trio Chris O`Connor, Dave Mulcahy and Stephen Brennan will be truly felt at the Carlisle Grounds. Bray seem like relegation favourites before a ball is kicked.     

Predictions:
1. Shamrock Rovers
2. Bohemians
3. Sporting Fingal
4. St Patricks Athletic
5. Galway United
6. Dundalk
7. Sligo Rovers
8. Drogheda United
9. UCD
10. Bray Wanderers
FAI Cup: Shamrock Rovers
League Cup: St Patricks Athletic
Setanta Cup: Bohemians